This is going to be a very interesting last two weeks, especially if the Fins lose to the Bengals. There is so much speculation around the QBs and overall draft talent. If the Bengals get the first pick I do not necessarily think Burrow is a lock. I know I am likely wrong but, something in me thinks the Brown will be a bit of a wildcard and will at the very least put up a ton of smokescreens. Hell in FA he might go get Cam Newton or Ryan Tannehill to keep this narrative of win now. I think the Bengals value vets over developing young guys.
Bengals options:
#1 Draft Burrow and then fill holes with the rest of the draft and FA, which their cap space is half of what the Fins have. This leaves you with a QB who probably isnt ready to go for at least half the season and lots of holes to fill
#2 FA sign a vet like Newton or Tennehill and draft CY. This way you get an elite pass rush talent and get a vet QB who you know can win in this league and wont have to wait and hope they are great
#3 Trade out of #1 and get a slew of draft picks which is unlikely mainly because this has never been their style to move picks. And while Burrow and Young are very good talents along with a healthy Tua. Young is the only player seen as a generational talent and with the depth of pass rushers in this draft I do not see a team selling the farm for him.
The best QBs sit for a year or more; its almost a scientific fact with the number of occurrences that seem to prove that is the best way to do it. Drafting Burrow and starting him day one is a mistake and a total ticket selling move, he might beat out Dalton but that's not saying much given that Dalton is limited and always has been. But if the Bengals are in a lets go from #1 to playoffs and if they heap it on Burrow's shoulders I can only wish him luck. No matter who we take at QB they are sitting a year as the team further develops the roster so that pressure isnt there and whomever it is can just grind and get ready to take the reigns.
Whereas, Chase Young can play day one and makes a good defense even better. The Bengals have talent but also have holes and with basically a rank and file draft (1 pick a round) it will be hard to fill those. FAs are not going there and Burrow isnt something to sway grown men to change their minds while Cam might. Players want to win and they do not have the cap space to really overpay for guys, at least the Dolphins do.
And with the testing that is coming after bowl season somebody will jump and become a helium prospect and the Bengals could pull at 2011 and take BPA with their 1st round pick and QB with their 2nd round pick.
To the people who said Tua could be #1, if his health is not a concern and he moves around during drills and shows his is well on his way to recovery then it absolutely throws a wrench into the works. The time leading up to the draft is going to be crazy.